Wrt the Steph contract due to the ankle fears, it reminds me a bit of the good fortunes of the Spurs being able to draft Tim Duncan. Injury to the Admiral and some ping pong luck and you suddenly you have a two decade dynasty.
I wish more thought leaders had your realization that there is no closed form solution to a lot of questions/challenges. NBA history is rife with examples that success is not simply: going into the season with the most talent or aggregate VORP. Players grow and evolve, injuries, randomness and luck can drastically change the course of history. In the case of the Warriors, I think a lot of credit goes to how much Steph's skill did not force his teammates into a particularly offensive style while he simultaneously worked very hard to mitigate his defensive liabilities.
The fact that The Dubs seem to have smart people up and down the organizational chart - really makes a difference. Jerry West as a consultant making sure they didn't break up Steph & Klay for Kevin Love, was HUGE! Their ability to make KD feel so welcome (the first year at least) and be this historically great franchise those 3 years he was there (especially year #1!) speaks for itself.
There certainly is a level of preparedness this team has that allows them to adopt on the fly. Not too many franchises, (in any industry) are that nimble. Kudos to them.
But, still...I'M A KNICKS FAN! And I am still salty about the Dubs league dominance in the late 2010s...and therefore "The Enemy of my Enemy" is my friend. Therefore, CELTS IN 6!!!! :P
its really amazing how they bring out the best in underrated/overlooked players. GPII, wiggins, Porter have all shined in their roles after being cast aside by others, just this season. I think a lot of it is that Curry/Draymond are offensive/defensive savants and make others look better. But also the whole organization seems to be geared towards allowing players to find their personal optimum (which may be different than others), rather than trying to fit everyone in a certain preconceived box.
like why was GPII available off the scrap heap? he's a freakishly good defender, but he is a very unusual for a "point guard" and most systems aren't creative/adaptable enough to figure out they should play him like a center.
Maybe there's an organizational theory type of angle, "organized chaos" like the Stanford band or something.
At some point, someone reputable will highlight that this is due in very large part to Steph's historically unique greatness. It doesn't really matter who your teammates are; all NBA caliber players will win when they play 4-on-3, which is what Steph's teammates, including Durant, got to do more than anyone else in the history of basketball.
His gravity has created what I suspect is the largest number of "hockey assists" throughout his career, has enabled Draymond to become a playmaker and creates more open looks than any other teammates get.
His defense now is definitely above average, but I think peak Steph was the best offensive basketball player of my lifetime (except maybe MJ).
Secret Sauce? It’s called heart of a champion - most comebacks from double digits in playoffs- comeback by Klay. Before the series I read how Mavs would “ Hunt” Poole and Steph and all that, but it came down to hustle, performance under pressure and closing games.
Wrt the Steph contract due to the ankle fears, it reminds me a bit of the good fortunes of the Spurs being able to draft Tim Duncan. Injury to the Admiral and some ping pong luck and you suddenly you have a two decade dynasty.
I wish more thought leaders had your realization that there is no closed form solution to a lot of questions/challenges. NBA history is rife with examples that success is not simply: going into the season with the most talent or aggregate VORP. Players grow and evolve, injuries, randomness and luck can drastically change the course of history. In the case of the Warriors, I think a lot of credit goes to how much Steph's skill did not force his teammates into a particularly offensive style while he simultaneously worked very hard to mitigate his defensive liabilities.
The fact that The Dubs seem to have smart people up and down the organizational chart - really makes a difference. Jerry West as a consultant making sure they didn't break up Steph & Klay for Kevin Love, was HUGE! Their ability to make KD feel so welcome (the first year at least) and be this historically great franchise those 3 years he was there (especially year #1!) speaks for itself.
There certainly is a level of preparedness this team has that allows them to adopt on the fly. Not too many franchises, (in any industry) are that nimble. Kudos to them.
But, still...I'M A KNICKS FAN! And I am still salty about the Dubs league dominance in the late 2010s...and therefore "The Enemy of my Enemy" is my friend. Therefore, CELTS IN 6!!!! :P
its really amazing how they bring out the best in underrated/overlooked players. GPII, wiggins, Porter have all shined in their roles after being cast aside by others, just this season. I think a lot of it is that Curry/Draymond are offensive/defensive savants and make others look better. But also the whole organization seems to be geared towards allowing players to find their personal optimum (which may be different than others), rather than trying to fit everyone in a certain preconceived box.
like why was GPII available off the scrap heap? he's a freakishly good defender, but he is a very unusual for a "point guard" and most systems aren't creative/adaptable enough to figure out they should play him like a center.
Maybe there's an organizational theory type of angle, "organized chaos" like the Stanford band or something.
I really love it when you write about the Warriors.
Should be fun to see a Jesse Singal (Celtics) vs Ethan (Warriors) finals!
At some point, someone reputable will highlight that this is due in very large part to Steph's historically unique greatness. It doesn't really matter who your teammates are; all NBA caliber players will win when they play 4-on-3, which is what Steph's teammates, including Durant, got to do more than anyone else in the history of basketball.
His gravity has created what I suspect is the largest number of "hockey assists" throughout his career, has enabled Draymond to become a playmaker and creates more open looks than any other teammates get.
His defense now is definitely above average, but I think peak Steph was the best offensive basketball player of my lifetime (except maybe MJ).
Secret Sauce? It’s called heart of a champion - most comebacks from double digits in playoffs- comeback by Klay. Before the series I read how Mavs would “ Hunt” Poole and Steph and all that, but it came down to hustle, performance under pressure and closing games.
I personally think that book you wanted was there you just missed it
Warriors Wednesday this week?
Stay tuned…
That would be so good. Maybe a finals prognostication from Radio Ethan to go with it. Hot takes!
This run has shocked me.
I wonder if their organizing principle is “yay individualism, boo ego”.
good comment